NEWS RELEASE
November 2, 2006
McGuinty Government Launches Youth Public Education Campaign
Promoting Healthy Eating And Active Living
TORONTO — Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson today unveiled a new public education campaign encouraging youth to eat healthy and be more physically active.
“We know that 28 per cent of Ontario children and youth are overweight or obese and this will have a serious impact on our health care system,” said Watson. “That’s why we’re launching a campaign that speaks directly to young people aged 12-15 about the importance of healthy eating and active living.”
The campaign features an interactive website, www.notgonnakillyou.ca, which is an easy-to access resource for youth seeking information on how to eat healthy and become and stay active. The campaign supports Ontario’s Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living, a comprehensive strategy for helping Ontarians achieve healthy weights.
“The strength of this campaign lies in its straightforward message and direct call to action,” said Scott Haldane, President & CEO, of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “It has real potential to get youth thinking seriously about the eating and activity choices they make, and how these choices impact their good health and wellbeing.”
“Less than 50 per cent of school-aged kids report eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and about 25 per cent eat candy or chocolate or consume soft drinks more than once a day,” said Watson. “It’s in everybody’s best interest that Ontario’s youth eat healthy and get regular physical exercise. We all have a role to play, and the role of the Ontario government is to act as a catalyst for healthy living across the province.”
Tackling the issue of obesity in children and youth will also be explored at an upcoming two-day forum sponsored by the McGuinty government. Healthy Eating & Active Living Conference 2006 will take place on November 29 and 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The conference will bring together national and international experts to discuss ways society can change to encourage people to eat healthier and be more physically active. Conference sessions will focus on children and youth, building healthy communities, healthy public policy and public education.
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For further information:
Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833
